Hi all, Just thought I'd chime in with my foibles... 1) I'm a people pleaser 2) From the one of the most disfunctional families on the planet, I fear. 3) My sister has been teaching me to use the word NO. (it's a strange, yet liberating feeling) 4) I learned to swallow my pain and disappointment early on, having been adopted by grandparents and raised in a "children are seen and not heard" environment. (I have had ulcers, G.E.R.D. and other stomach maladies on and off for over 20 years because of it). 5) Lost both Grandparents (parents). Grandpa at 13 - grandma at 18. 6) Raised my daughter on my own until she was 8 (when I got married). 7) I couldn't finish college when I was younger because I couldn't deal with the HUGE general psych classes (panic attacks at age 20). 8) I have avoided situations my entire life (thinking it was just from having been around so much violence and conflict growing up), but realize now it has been the agoraphobia and panic running things. That's probably more than enough, I'll try and go post on the "Postive side" now. Arteest

Members, Lots of interesting responses. Don't worry about the length just keep them coming! Danielle _____________________ The PC Support Team

Issabella, I am exactly like you in so many ways..lol.. If I get a headache I atuomatticly think that its something terminal. I worry constantly about my health, that something is horribly wrong with me. I fear sudden death and losing my mind. I have three girls at home ages 10, 8, and 6 and I love them very much, but because of my anxiety and fear I feel as though I dont give them the attention that they need and deserve. Im not very depressed though and I dont have to take any medications (not that I would take them if I did because Im afraid of everything). I have seen a phsyciatrist in the past and he was no help he didnt even talk to me or try to explain anything. He just said you suffer from panic disorder and here are you some medicines in which I only took the vistarel he perscribed only when I thought I needed it. I am afraid of drugs because I was married to a man who was addicted to drugs and was very abusive mental and sexually but never physical. I had my first panic attack when I was 15 or 16. Dont have any idea what caused it just woke up from a nightmare and there it was I thought I was having a heart attack. I dont like change, Im afraid to travel long distances, I am afraid of making mistakes where my religion is concerned, I have a hard time making desicions, and I do not like to be alone especially at night. Well I am sure there is more but who has the time to mention them all LOL... Sorry this was so long.

Have a great day too :)

Hi, Just wanted to make a few comments to those of you who responded to my thread. Bonnie- I got a real kick out of you feeding the pigeons your meds, I couldn't quit laughing at the thought of some pigeons walking around with a healthy little glow about them. Too funny!! Diva- I will definitely be checking out the thread in the lifestyle section about our good qualities. (I just might need a few days to think of what mine are lol) Once again great idea :) Isabella- I pray alot Isabella. I try to remember that I am not really alone when I have the big guy on my side. When I feel the panic coming on I ask for God's help to see me through. I even will sing the only hymn I know (Amazing Grace) to have something to focus on. And let me tell you Isabella me singing is not a pretty sight. ;) Have a great day everyone!!

Wow, my list is pretty much the same as Lorlee and Diva's: -I am a control freak, neat freak, "Type A" Personality -I came from a dysfunctional family who fought all the time and eventually divorced when I was 12 or 13. -My mother also suffers from anxiety and I also have aunts and uncles with the same problem (heredity factor) -I worry all the time and always think the worst, especially when it comes to my health. I am a hypochondriac and may have somatoform disorder or conversion disorder (according to me, although I've never been diagnosed he he) -I am very "interoceptively aware" so I feel everything in my body and blow it out of proportion even though it may be a natural bodily function. This is one of the worst things for me because I always feel out of it, not "normal", like something is off even though it may be all in my head and I am blowing things out of proportion. -I was in a physically, emotionally, and mentally abusive relationship for two years and when it finally ended the panic attacks began, although I was a nervous child from early on. This was my trigger and I have been anxiety-ridden ever since then, for nearly 3 years now. I am slightly better but by no means am I close to being cured. It is a daily struggle and some days I win, some days I lose, and some days are just average. -My constant fear is dying prematurely and leaving my 20 month old son who is the best kid in the world and I absolutely get sick at the thought of him not having my love and care and me missing out on all the things in his life. It crosses my mind daily and I worry about it all the time - so unhealthy, so negative, and I can't seem to shake it even though I talk to my psychologist, challenge my anxious thoughts, etc. I think I would be better if I could learn to let go and let God take over because it is truly out of my hands. -I have a hard time saying no and I am a people pleaser. -When things piss me off I tend to hold them in and displace my anger on my loved ones instead of the person who pissed me off. I also get upset very easily. Sorry for such a long and detailed post but it felt good to get that off my chest LOL! Thanks for letting me do that. ~Isabella~

- I am very emotional - Since childhood I am quite shy - I am childish (although I am 24) - I don't like to stay alone at home for a long period (especially at nights) - I am stressful about my health - I worry about my close people very much - I worry about animals very much (those who live on the streets (in my country there are a lot of them) and those who are maltreated) - I don't like to speak in public

Hiya Lorlee. In the lifestyle section of the forum i started a twin thread of this one for qualities we possess, so we can all focus on the positive also :) Anyway, just wanted to let you know in case you had not seen it :) To Lorlle and Bonnie. Yes holding in feelings does create anxiety. Being true to oneself is way more freeing. I agree. So thank you to you both for sharing your lists and thoughts and reflexions :) -Diva

Oh and I meant to add..to this day when I "pretend all is fine?" I can just say hello to anxiety and possible panic. I think that is really key. It's like our bodies scream out "Stop it! Be real! Be who you are!" At least for me. I have been in therapy for about 6 months now (haven't been for years) and I am finding how much I hold in...and see how that brought the anxiety and panic back. The anxiety really...it was the few panic attacks coming back that started the whold "fear of them" cycle.

Hi Lorlee, Yes I almost had an ulcer at 6 they say. I had to take medication for a year...in cookie form being a kid. Doesn't seem like I took it that long though. And after the first cookie and the "ha ha ha you can't have one" to the sibs? They really DID taste like medicine so guess what? We must have had some pigeons with really healthy stomachs...because I used to feed them with my "nasty" cookie. ;p